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Unsung players to watch for in the D1 state tourney




I did a similar blog like this before last year's state tournament, so I figured I might as well do another one again. Here's a look at some of the unsung heroes that play important roles for their respective teams.

Campbell - Lamart Dudley
With 6-foot-7 center David Marrero drawing the most attention in the paint, it's easy to forget about forward Lamart Dudley. I was really looking forward to see Dudley play this year after an impressive showing in last season's postseason.

One thing that sets Dudley apart from most post players is that he is a true power forward. The 6-foot-2 senior has an array of moves he can utilize when posting up at the low block, and can also shoot the mid-range jumper on pick-and-pop situations.

Dudley's productivity on offense also seems to be a barometer for Campbell's success. During the Sabers' nine-game winning streak in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division, Dudley had a six-game stretch where he averaged 13.2 points per game. In Campbell's two losses to Leilehua and Farrington, Dudley only managed nine total points. 

Lahainaluna - Marvin Sidon
Like its girls basketball team, Lahainaluna has gone through Maui Interscholastic League play unbeaten. Although he is one of the smallest players on the team at 5-foot-6, Marvin Sidon has been a key cog in the Lunas' run to the state tournament.

Sidon is Lahainaluna's undisputed floor general running the point guard position. He does a great job getting everyone involved in the offense and can hit the open jumper when if the opportunity presents itself.

Defensively the senior guard is a pest and is often quicker than the opposing team's primary ball handler. During a regular season game against King Kekaulike, Sidon was able to force four five-second closely guarded violations.

Kahuku - Tamamoko Green
Tamamoko Green is like Sidon in the sense that he is the team's starting point guard. He is a stable presence handling the ball and will rarely turn the ball over. 

An advantage that the senior guard has over most point guards is that he has great court vision. At 6-foot-1, Green has the ability to see over his defender and make the smart pass. I've seen him make a sideline inbounds alley-oop pass to Samuta Avea, and also a behind the back bounce pass to sharp shooter Keanu Akina at the wing.

Green's importance to the team was evident in Kahuku's loss to Farrington in the OIA Division I championship game. With Green dealing with early foul trouble, the Red Raiders saw an early 11-2 first quarter advantage turn into a 20-all game at halftime. Things also took a bad turn when he went down with an ankle injury early in the third quarter. If Green is healthy and on the floor, I wouldn't be surprised if Kahuku is playing in the state title game come Saturday.

Punahou - Jordan Tanuvasa
This one might be of a head scratcher for most basketball enthusiasts. If you were to name Punahou's "big three," fans would generally list JB Kam, Dayson Watanabe and Jordan Tanuvasa. The reason why I have Tanuvasa on here is that he is playing out of position to see time on the court.

When Lebron James played for the Miami Heat, a lot of people criticized Chris Bosh and called Dwayne Wade and James the "big two." What most people don't realize is that Bosh sacrificed some parts of his game for the greater good of the team. Tanuvasa is in a similar position by playing shooting guard while Watanabe plays the point. For those that don't remember, Tanuvasa was the starting point guard heading into last season, but suffered an ACL injury during football and sat during his junior hoops campaign.

Punahou fans should be pleased with the way Tanuvasa has been shooting the 3-ball lately. Since going scoreless against Maryknoll in the Buffanblu's only regular season loss, Tanuvasa has connected on eight triples on a near 50-percent clip (8-for-17) in the past four games.

Farrington - Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo
Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo has been one of the most fun players to watch this season. One thing that I really like about him is that he has been the most consistent player for the Governors this year.

As a hybrid center position, Tatupu-Leopoldo is a 2-3 zone defense buster. Against Kahuku in the OIA title game, Tatupu-Leopoldo acted as a dump-off option at the high post, right in the center of the Red Raiders' defense. This gave the 5-foot-11 senior the ability to be a facilitator atop the free throw line and the option to pass it off to a slasher or a 3-point shooter.

Farrington's run to a second straight OIA title has also been a result of a full court press that the Governors installed prior to the playoffs. With speedy guards like Ranan Mamiya applying pressure after a made basket, Tatupu-Leopoldo is able to play middle linebacker near half court and pick off passes that get thrown under duress.

Kalaheo - Alec MacLeod
Alec MacLeod is a veteran player by high school standards. MacLeod and forward Kupaa Harrison are the only two players that did not graduate when the Mustangs last won the Division I state title in 2013. 

The 6-foot-1 senior had a injury filled junior campaign, but has since gotten healthy and is now a regular starter for the team. Coincidentally the player that I had for Kalaheo in last year's blog was Zach Marotte, the player who started in place for MacLeod last year.

MacLeod has had a penchant for being in the right place at the right time, primarily in clutch situations. He a go-ahead bucket with under 10 seconds to against Campbell in the OIA semifinals, and the game-winning tip-in against Punahou in the Buffanblu's preseason tournament.

Konawaena - Kamakana Ching
Two years ago Konawaena had 6-foot-8 Brenton Shropshire. This year the Wildcats have Kamakana Ching. Although Ching is 6 inches shorter than Shropshire, he makes up for it with his athleticism and great leaping ability.

Since Ching came back healthy from some nagging injuries, the Wildcats have been a completely different team. Konawaena has bounced back from early regular season losses to the likes of St. Joseph and Waiakea, en route to its third straight Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I title. Ching scored a team-high 14 points in the league title game against Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Another thing to note is that Ching is just a sophomore. The 6-foot-2 center could have his coming out party Thursday when the fourth-ranked Wildcats host the winner between Kahuku and Moanalua.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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